Cardinals offense set to receive a huge boost vs. Bucs thanks to the return of Marvin Harrison Jr.
Jacoby Brissett and the offense has been playing pretty well and Marvin Harrison Jr.’s return should help it perform even better.
Jacoby Brissett has led the Arizona Cardinals offense to 22 or more points in each of the last six games and he’s made it happen the last two contests without No. 1 wideout, Marvin Harrison Jr.
The second-year wideout has been recovering from appendicitis over the last couple of weeks. He had his appendix removed on November 10, marking 20 days, in all. It occurred the day after the Cardinals lost their Week 11 matchup to the Seattle Seahawks.
That’s all going to change in Week 13, however. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Harrison Jr. is expected to suit up and play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Running back Bam Knight, who was also listed as questionable after Friday’s practice, is also expected to play.
“He’s looked good,” Gannon told reporters Friday. “… I think he moved around well. He’s doing well… You gotta trust the experts with that one… I don’t know if I’ve ever been around a player that had that. Just talk to all the experts and see what they think. And then there’s a natural progression that goes into return to play. He’s having a good week so far.”
Both developments are big news for a Cardinals team on the brink of playoff elimination. The Bucs defense is talented, but it’s been a sieve when it comes to allowing the big play. Having Harrison Jr. and Knight on the field increases Arizona’s chances of taking chunks out of the defense, which obviously helps score points.
It’ll be particularly interesting to see where Harrison Jr. picks up. He snagged 187 yards and two receiving touchdowns on 12 catches in the three games prior and looked to be forming a solid rapport with Brissett. He’s likely to face Jamel Dean, who’s been one of the NFL’s best corners all year long, but Dean is also banged up. That matchup will definitely be one to keep an eye on all game long and even more so whenever Harrison Jr. lines up across from Zyon McCollum, who just got barbecued against the Los Angeles Rams.
Either way, the Cardinals offense is getting a key piece to the puzzle back in Week 13 and it can certainly help them beat the Bucs.
